Can-body-forming machine



T. J. DUGAN CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE s sheetssneet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1927 gwwnto@ @www Www-w Feb. 17, 1931.

T. J. DUGAN 1,793,164

CAN BODY FOFKMING MACHINE Feb. 17, 1931.

Filed Nov. 2, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 3u undo@ TLM g aw m1,@ @MUMQMRW Feb. 17, 1931. T J, DUGAN 1,793,164

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2. 1927 8 sheets-shet s gnou/Hoz WMM/5% W Feb. 17, 1931. T* 1 DUGAN 1,793,164

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE F'iled NOV. 2, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 lOl 5 IOZ FWG; 4

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CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 @Horne `Fea, i?, w31. T J. DUGAN f 1,793,164

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 1L J1, i 111x111 @513% mmjwgfw u T. J. DUGAN Feb. 17, 1931.

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2. 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 T. J. DUGAN Feb. 17, 1931-.

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE.

Filed Nov. 2, 1927 v8 Sheets-Sheet 8 C1301 we d A A 4 a *wwe- 1- Patented Feb. 17, 1931 `UNI-'ren 4STATI-:s

THOMAS J. DUGAN, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO CAN-BODY-FORMING MACHINE Application inea november 2, 1927. serial No. 230,441.

This invention is directed to improvements in apparatus for the manufacture of containers, and has for its general object the provision of a machine for forming can bodies of various shapes in a rapid economical manner.

More particularly my invention is concerned with the provision of an apparatus for the formation of metallic sheet blanks w into shape of a container body, and which simultaneously forms thereon an air tight seam.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a can forming machine embodying a plurality of means traversing a fixed continuous path, whereby various operations may be performed upon metal sheets fed thereto simultaneously.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a can body forming apparatus which is adaptable to the formation of body seams in such manner that the seam bulk will be exposed only on the interior of the body.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a mechanism for effecting the formation of an air tight double lock seam on juxtaposed edges of a sheet bent to can body form.

Other objects of my invention will hereinafter become apparent from the following description which refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, and the essential characteristics thereof are summarized in the claims.

R5 In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of apparatus embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2.is an enlarged transverse cross sectional elevation taken through the machine substantially 40 along the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional detail taken through the machine substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken through the seam form- 5 ing apparatus of the machine substantially along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail of means for positively driving the seam forming means, the section 'being taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; `Fig.

" 6 is a cross sectional detail of a power transmitting means and corresponding in section to a plane defined by the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional detail taken through part of a sheet bending apparatus and corresponding in section to a plane defined bythe line 7 7 of Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken through a can body form, showing the manner of attaching a sheet folding or bending means thereto, the section corresponding to the section defined by the lines 8 8 of Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional detail taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 8; Fig. l0 is a fragmentary cross sectional detail taken along the line 1.0 10 of Fig. 2; Figs. 1l to 19 inclusive are'diagrammatic representations of the coactive relation of a series of seamed forming rolls adapted to effect a double lock seam on a can body; Fig. is a modified form of sheet bendinfT apparatus for forming cans having cylindrical bodies; Figs. 2l to 23 inclusive are views of a sheet or blankfeeding mechanism which may comprise part of the apparatus.

Figs. 24 to 80 inclusive are sectional views showing the relationships of the can body form, and the sheet bending means to the can blank at different stagesof progress of the blanks through the machine.

My invention contemplates the provision of 'a can body forming apparatus which will automatically effect the feeding of sheet blanks from a stack, the bending of the sheet blanks to the desired can body form, the formation of the body seam, and the ejection of the 'bodies thus formed from the machine; the arrangement of the mechanism being such that these various operations will be performed at different stages of the progress of the blanks through the machine, during the continuous operation thereof. The machine may embody a plurality of articulated or endless chain arranged sheet bending mechanisms, which receive the sheets from the automatic feeding mechanism, bend the sheets and carry them through or into cooperative relation with a seam forming mechanism, and thereafter said mechanisms while moving in a continuous path return to the feed mechanism, the previously formed can bodies being ejected or-,removed therefrom before the return of the mechanisms to the blank feeding mechanism.

All of the foregoing arranged mechanisms are co-ordinated in such manner that the amount of marring of the exterior or eventually exposed surfaces of the can body are reduced to a minimum. In Fig. l, I show one form of a machine embodying the foregoing enumerated coordinated mechanisms, but it is to be understood that my invention may be incorporated in machines other than the one herein disclosed, as illustrated in the drawings, and the present machine is for the purpose of illustration only.

Referring to Fig. 1, I show an elongated machine frame or bed suitably supported, at an operative elevation for the convenience of the operator, on legs 3l and 32. The machine bed 30 may be of any desired construc tion, but in the present instance the bed is illustrated as being formed of a machine casting, open or hollow in construction, and of a forni to conveniently support conveyer chains carrying a series or plurality of sheet bending or forming mechanisms, one of which is shown in cross section in Fig. 4 in cooperative relation to the seam forming means.

At the left end of the machine, as Viewed in Fig. 2l, I show a feed mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 34 and which will be hereinafter more fully described; the feed mechanism being suitably supported and to be disposed to feed sheets to sheet bendingmechanisms as they are carried there by the conveye-r.

The present machine is shown as being provided with eight sheet bending mechanisms 'i generally indicated at 38, mounted upon the conveyer in endless chain fashion. The conveyer may comprise chain stretches 40 (see Fig. 2) which pass over sprocket members 4l and 42 suitably mounted upon shafts 43 and 44 respectively, the shafts 43 and 44 being carried in suitable bearings disposed at opposite ends of the machine bed 30, the section of the machine bed being such as to permit the chain stretches to follow a guided path over the upper and under surfaces thereof. The bending mechanisms 38 are attached to the chain stretches 40 by cross members 50, the cross members being in the form of bridge constructions comprising supports for can body forms 52 comprising part of the bending mechanisms. The machine bed 30 may be provided with pairs of conveyer chain guiding rails 54 extending along the top and bottom surfaces thereof to accurately guide the chain stretches 40 along a continuous fixed ath. p The detailed description of the sheet bending apparatus, as associated with the body forms 52 and the manner of coordination of these mechanisms Ywhereby they may be continuously operated along a fixed path traversing the upper surfaces of the machine, will now be given. The forms 52, it is to be under stood, are removably attached to the cross members by any suitable lmeans such as bolts 56, whereby they may be readily removed when it is desired to make can bodies of different shapes, and accordingly the forms 52 may be designed in such manner that they can be rigidly attached to the cross members 50 with the actual body forming portion 52a thereof in overhanging or offset relation to the cross members 50 for a purpose to be presently described. In the present instance the portions 52a of the forms are substantially square in cross section with rounded corners to define square can bodies having rounded corners and preferably made hollow to lighten the overhanging weight. Immediately associated with the forms 52 are sheet folding or bending mechanisms which serve to clamp the unbent sheet blanks to the lower rounded edges of the form and which may comprise pairs of cooperating wings or arms 58 of a shape to embrace the four sides of the forms and they are pivotally supported by a hinge pin 59. The hinge pin 59 is rigidly supported by a swingable arm 60, the swingable arm 60 being pivotally connected to the body forming members 52 by a pin member 62. rIhe shapes of the Wings or arms 58 are such as to enfold the sheet blank about vthe forms. In the present instance the four sides of the body forms 52, that is each Wing 58 resembles a right angled arm which, when the members are swung into the closing position, tend to completely enclose the body forming portions 52a', and each wing is provided with a roller 57 which rides on cam rails 63 extending longitudinally along the top, bottom and around the ends of the machine bed 30. The shape of eachcam rail varies in contour along the bed, for the rails determine the opening and closing movements of the sheet bending arms 58 relative to the forms as the forms are moved longitudinally along the machine by the chain stretches 40.

In a-ddition to the swinging movement of the arms 58, effected by the cooperative relation of the rolls 57 and cams 63, there is an additional movement imparted to the wings 58 relative to the body forming portion 52a, whereby a clamping action may be effected after the sheets have been fed to the bending and forming mechanisms as they pass the' feed mechanisms 34, but before the sheets are bent about the forms. This clamping action can be effected by reason of the pivotal attachment of the arm 60 to the form frame 52. This arm, accordingly, extends downwardly a suiiicient distance to provide an attachment for` a roller member which rides in a cam rail 66 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4), the cam rail 66 being changed in shape at various places along the machine bed to cause those p0rthe form at the time of the feeding ofthe sheet blank thereto and during the bending of the sheet blank to approximate can body shape, and to permit those portions of the arms 58 adjacent the pivotal connection to pin 59 to be swung away from the can body after the body has been formed and seamed. The blanks are of such dimension that when bent about the body forming portions 52a of ble lock seam on the projecting exposed j uxtaposed edges of the bent sheet blanks. It is to be understood that the seam may be effected by either a reciprocating form means or a series of seaming rolls arranged in such manner as to eect step by step or progressive formation of the seam until it is completed. In the present instance, I prefer an arrangement of a series of pairs of rolls to which the juxtaposed edges of the bent sheets are presented by the mechanisms 38 as they move along thetop of the machine bed, these rolls being of such form and bearing such relation to each other that a double lock seam may be effected, the bulk or volume of which willl be disposed interiorly of the can body when finished, and this seam is effected preferably centrally of one of the rounded ends of the can body. The rolls and their progressive actions upon the sheet edges are shown in Figs. 11 to 18 inclusive and they are driven in synchronism by a train of gears shown in Fig. 5 of proper diameters, whereby the linear velocities of the roller surfaces will be synchronized with the linear velocity of the mechanisms 38, and correspondingly the formed sheet blanks carried thereby, whereby substantially no slippage will take place between the roll surfaces, and the surfaces of the sheet edges being formed and rolled into double seams.

The juxtaposed sheet edges S1 and S2 are first brought into full -surface contact by a pair of plain power driven cylindrical rolls and 71 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 11) which are mounted on vertically disposed stud shafts 70a and 71a, the shafts being suitably bearinged in a frame member 100. Gears 72 and 73 on the shafts 7 Oa and 71a respectively prevent relative slippage between the rolls, and stud shaft 71ais drivenvby gear 74. A second pair of rolls 140 and 141 (see Fig. 12) are similarly mounted and driven by gears 75, 76 and 77, the gear 77 also driving gear 74, and these rolls serve to form the first seam bend, as shown in Fig. 12. A third pair of rolls 78 and 79, are of such shape as to crimp the previously formed seam bend; and and a fourth pair of rolls 80 and 81 (see Fig. 14) is of such shape as to flatten and complete the first bend. A fifth pair of rolls 88 and 89, (see Fig. 15) start a second seam bend, as shown. A sixth pair of rolls 93 and 94 (see Fig. 16) similar in shape to rolls 78 and 79, shown in Fig. 13, repeat the crimp=, ing action of the bend and rolls 97 and 98 (see Fig. 17) repeat the seam flattening action. A third and final crimping action on the seam structure is effected by a male and a female roll 99 and 99a respectively (see Fig. 18), conditioning the seamstructure whereby it may be forced inwardly into the longitudinally extending groove 52?) in the body forming portion 52a of the forms 52 by a flattening roll 67 of an hour-glass shape to also round the can corner. The depth of the groove 526 in the forming portion 52a is such that the vseam structure will become. firmly compressed to make it air tight. All of the rolls arranged in pairs are mounted on vertically disposed positively driven stud shafts carried by the frame member 100, the shafts being driven by a gear train'comprising valternately arranged gears 68 of which gear 74 comprises a part, and the pairs of stud shafts are provided with meshing gears 69 corresponding in function to gears 72 and I 73. The flattening roll 67 is mounted upon a horizontal shaft 67a carried by frame member 100 and is driven by gear 123 which in turn is driven through an intermediate gear 124 by a gear 125 and a power transmitting shaft 122. The power transmitting shaft 122 carries a bevel pinion 126 at its inner end which drives a bevel gear 127 mounted on a vertically disposed stud shaft 128 which also carries the first gear 68a of the gear train comprising staggered gears 68. Thus, it will be seen that all the rolls are positively driven in the proper direction to permit the can body edges to pass therethrough without any tendency being present for the rolls to pull on the body relative to the forms 52, for the forms are positively moved by drivingmeans, vto be described, at the same linear velocity as the roll surfaces.

As stated, the gear trains and rolls are frame member may have extending there-v through adjustable members in the form of screws 105, which rotatably engage the gear frame and roll supporting member 100, whereby the frame 100 and incidently the seaming rolls carried thereby may be adjusted toward or away from the machine bed as desired.

The gear train driving the series of rolls as described is driven'by shaft 122, which may be driven in any suitable manner, preferably by means whereby the adjustability of the frame 100 referred to, may not be interfered with. Such a drive may comprise a splined shaft 110 suitably supported at its upper end by a bearing portion 1020i formed on one of the machine frame members 102, and a bearing member 30a attached to or comprising a part of the machine bed 30. The shaft 110 is driven by a4 bevel gear train 112, one of the bevel gears of the train 112 being mounted upon a stud 113 carried by the machine bed 30, the stud .113 being driven by a sprocket 114 and chain 115, which in turn is driven by a motor 116. The motor 116 may also serve to drive the chain stretches 40 hereinbefore referred to, which carry the mechanisms 38, through sprocket 43a attached to shaft 43 in the chain 118. The splined shaft 110 extends through beveled gearl 120, which is supported by bracket 100a carried by the gear frame support 100, and drives a beveled gear 121 mounted on the transversely extending shaft 122 hereinbefore referred to.

As stated above, the frame 100 is suspended on the adjustable supporting members 105, and the inner opposed faces of the frame members 101 and 102 may be formed and machined to provide a vertical slideway for accurately positioning the frame 100 and accordingly the series of crimping rolls and seaming rolls, in longitudinal alignment with the center of the moving path of the forms 52. After the frame 100 is vertically adjusted to any desired position by manipulation of the screws 105, the screws may be locked in adjusted position by locking nuts 180. Thus the seaming mechanism is adjustable relative to the path of movement of the forms and incidentally also the relation of the rolls to the juxtaposed edges of the bent sheets'as they pass along the top of the machine bed 30 or when it is desired t0 form cans having a different body shape the forms 52 are changed as well as the arms 58 and the frame 100 carrying the rolls is ad- ,justed relative thereto.

The means for removing the formed can body from the sheet bending and forming mechanism 38 may comprise, as shown in Fig. 2, a pair of rigidly mounted stripper members 170 carried by brackets 171 attached to central legs 31a at a position beneath the machine bed 30, and on each side of the undermoving'path of the bending and forming mechanisms. These members may be adj ustably mounted if desired to be removable or replaceable for stripping different sizes of can bodies from thel forms 52.l It should here be noted that the shape of the body forming portion 52a of the forms 52 is such that perimeters of the can bodies will extend beyond bracket portions of the members whereby stripper fingers 170 will clear the moving mechanisms, and the body forming portions 52a are provided with longitudinally extending slots 52d which align with the stripper lingers. Arranged along the bottom of the machine are chain or conveyor guiding rails 54, hereinbefore described, to guide the mechanisms 38 as they are brought into contact with the stationary fingers 170. The fingers 170 are then in the path of the seamed can bodies on the form frames 52, while the form frames clear the fingers by reason of the longitudinal grooves 52d thereby permitting the forms 52 to continue in their movement unresisted, while the can bodies are arrested by the fingers 170 and are stripped from the forms 52. The can bodies thus caused to be slipped or removed from the forms 52 in a longitudinal direction, drop by gravity to a position beneath the machine frame, from where they may be moved in any desired manner.

As the mechanisms 38 move from right to left (see Fig. 1) along the underside of the machine bed 30, the shapes of the cam members 6.3 change whereby the arms 58 are caused to be swung to the position shown in Fig. 2, at which position they are maintained as they travel toward the feed mechanism and dur ing the stripping action of the fingers 170,

hereinbefore referred to. The shape of the cam member 66 also changes slightly to cause the arms 58 to be swung about their pivot 62 (see Fig. 4) whereby they are entirely removed from contact with the can body form. The arms are thus maintained in this position relative to the forms 52 during the removal of the can body from the forms 52 and until such time as they pass around the sprocket 42 at the left of the machine and adjacent'the feed mechanism 34, whereby the sheets may be fed to the mechanisms 38 (see dot and dash position in Fig. 1).

As the mechanisms 38 pass over the sprockets 42, the rolls 65 and the pairs of rolls 57 respectively lose contact with the cam members 63 and 66, but I provide as shown in Figs.A 8 and 9 a detent means for maintaining the arms 58 in retracted position, which may comprise a spring urged locking dog 183 suitably carried by one of the arms 58 adjacent its pivotal bearing on the pin 59 and which engages a small notched segment plate 181 rigidly mounted on the coacting arm 58. When the dog 183 is in the position shown in Fig. 9 the arms 58 are relatively locked in an open position, and are maintained in this posi-I tion until the sheet is fed to the mechanisms 38, whereupon as the mechanisms move with the flat sheet, the dog 183 makes contact with a cam member 182, suitably mounted in proper position on the frame bed 30 to cause the dog 183 to be retracted from locking position just when r-olls 57 and 65 are re-engaged by cams 63 and cam 66 respectively.

If desired, the arms 58 may be shaped to have overhanging edges o'r flanges 58a (see Fig. which extend over the rear edge of the sheet after it is folded about the form to prevent the bent sheet from slipping from the form body 52a as the juxtaposed edges (see dot and dash positions in Fig. 11) of the sheet are being brought into engagement with the first pair of rolls 7 0-7 l.

It will be noted that the disposition of the cam members 63 where section along line 3-.3 (see Fig. 3) is taken in Fig. 1 of the machine, is such that the cross bars or plates 50, supporting mechanism .38, would encounter the cams 63 which at this point cross the path of movement of the plates but I provide shiftable portions of cams 63 at this p lace (see Fig. 7) comprising swingable portions 63a of the cams which are pivoted at 185 to the machine frame, but which are maintained in a normally closed position by arms 187 acted on by springs 188. Thus, the plates 50 as they move along their path indicated by the dot and dash line 189 in Fig. 7 when encountering these portions 63a of the cams 63 will depress them to a position below the path of the plates 50 and thereby permit the plates 50 to pass through the opening in the cam 63 resulting from the depression of the portions 63a.

As the plates 50 reach the position shown in Fig. 7, they encounter upwardly extending portions 187e of the arms 187, causing the arms 187 to return the portions 63a; of the cams 63 to their normal or closed positions. The two portions are articulated on pivots at 190 and connected by the springs 188, whereby the springs 188 have additional tension exerted thereon to assure the retaining of the portions 63a in alignment with the cam rails 63.

In Fig. 20 I show a circular form 53o and correspondingly shaped arms 58o for forming bodies having cylindrical shapes, the from 530 being illustrated on the sheet blank form-ed thereabouts and coacting with the first rolls -71 of the seaming roll series.

The feed mechanism as shown in Figs. 21, 22 and 23 may comprise a reciprocating feed slide 200 mounted on a frame 199, and which is Y'operated in timed relation with the movement of the forming mechanisms 38. 'The slide is reciprocated through suitable mechanical connections as shown by an arm 201 and the arm is actuated by bar 202 carried by the frame 199, and which in turn is actuated by a cain 203. The cam 203 is mounted on a shaft 217, the same being rotated by sprockets and chain drive 204, 206 and 205,

respectively; the sprocket 206 being mounted on the shaft 44 carried by the machine bed 30. A stack of sheets 210 is supported by a table 211 surmounting the frame 199, and the table has an open frame work at the bottom thereof, as shown in Fig. 22, whereby the bottom sheets of the stock may be drawn therefrom. The slide 200 is also open whereby an intermittently reciprocating suction plunger 214 may Icontact with the bottom sheet and draw the bottom sheet downwardly to position on the feed slide 200, the suction plunger 214 being operated by a cam 216 carried by the shaft which also supports the cam member 203. The plunger 214'is hollow and connected through conduit 218 to a source of suction means, not shown, and its up and down motion provides a valve action with the frame 199. The plunger 214 has a hollow passageway 219 having one outlet in a resilient cup-shaped member 220, another opening 221 which, when the plunger is in its uppermost position coacts with the conduit openings 218 and 218e, while a third opening 222 which, when the plunger is in its upper position, is closed by the frame member 199. This applies a suction on the lowermost sheet in the stack 210 and draws it downward. When this sheet reaches the slide 200, the port 221 o-f passageway 219 passes the conduit 218@ and the opening 222 clears the frame member 199 thereby releasing the suction on the sheet depositing the latter free on the slideway 200. l

In Fig. 23, I show a cross sectional detail corresponding to across section taken along the line 23-23 of Fig. 21, and which illustrates a. manner of providing for lost motion by reason of a pivotal slip connection indicated at 220 in Figs. 21 and 23, which may comprise a slot 20221- in bar 202, along which pivot stud 220 may slide against the action of spring 230, and th'us permit an overfeed actuation of the bar 202 Without causing the table 200 to buckle the sheets during the final feeding motion thereof by reason of the sheets reaching the eXtreme limit of the mechanism 38. The top surface of slide 200 is formed to advance the sheets step by step whereby several sheets S are caused to intermittently progress thereover by reason of the action of dogs 280 pivoted to the frame 199 which retain the sheets against backward movement of the slide, while during the. forward movement of the slide the sheets cam the dogs 280 upward clear of the sheet, permitting the latter to advance step by step.

The operation of the feed mechanism is as follows The chain drive comprising the sprockets and chain 204, 206 and 205 respectively is such that the shaft 217 and the cams thereon when rotated will effect the alternate operation of the suction plunger and feed slide 200. `The horizontal travel of the slide 200 is sufficient to withdraw the slide from the path of the mechanisms 88 as they pass upwardly around the end of the machine `bed. The contour of the cam 203 is such that a quick feeding motion will cause the sheets deposited thereon by the plunger 214 to be fed into the mechanism 38 just as the latter reaches a horizontal position, and at which moment the roller in mechanism 38 reaches a rise in the cam 66 and causes the pivotal portions or hinge portions of the arms 58 toV grip the sheets and retain it as the slide 200 is rcciprocated backwardly to receive another sheet; whereupon the plunger 214 is again raised by cam 216. The suction connection is automatically effected by this motion to engage the bottom sheet in the stack 210 to draw it downwardly and deposit it upon the slide 200. The vacuum on the sheet is broken at this time by reason of the port in the plunger having dropped below the conduit connection or port. A further downward movement of the plunger 214 thus clears the slide to permit it to feed the sheet to the succeeding mechanism 38 as it reaches its horizontal position.

lt is to be understood that the feed mechanism hereinbefore described is disclosed solely for the purposes of fully illustrating a mechanical environment of my invention and not by way of limitation thereof.

The operation of the present embodiment of my invention will be given by considering the firstoperative position of one of the bending and forming mechanisms 38 at starting from the dot and dash position shown in Fig. 1. In this position, the sheet is fed to the mechanism as it reaches a horizontal position and starts its aggressive movement from left to right of the machine bed 80. The sheet is deposited between the hinged portions of the arms 58 and the bottom longitudinal corner of the can forms 52a as shown in Fig. 24. As the mechanism 38 moves along the machine bed, the cam rails 63 by reason of their curvature, act on the rolls 57 to cause the arms 58 to swing about their piv otal supporting member 59, but prior to the beginning of this movement, the dog 183 (see Fig. 9) will have ridden over the cam 18-2 to permit the arms to begin their closing movement. Simultaneously with the beginning of this action the cam 66 by reason of its acti'on on the roll 65 will have caused the sheet blank to be clamped against the bottom longitudinally extending corner of the'can form 52a as shown in Fig. 25. As the mechanism progresses toward the seam forming means or rolls, the arms 58 will have folded the fiat sheet substantially around four sides of the can form 52al (see Figs. 26 to 28 inclusive) thus causing the surplus portions or projecting edges of, the sheet to become juxtaposed and slightly bent toward each other (see dot and dash lines,

Fig. 11), this action being completed just prior to the presentation of these juxtaposed edges S1 and S2 to the first pair of fiattening rolls -71. As they Contact with the flattening rolls, the free ends of the sheet blank are drawn firmly into contact with the can forming portions 52a of the form 52 as shown in Fig. 11.

As the mechanism 38 traverses various pairs of rolls shown in Figs. 11 to 18 as hereinbefore described, a double locking seam is formed, and the portions of the sheet which extend above the top edges of the arms 58 and the rolls 67 complet-e the seam in can body shape by rounding the top can body corner, and force the seam previously formed into the longitudinal groove of the can body forming portions 52av of the form 52.

The mechanism 38 then progresses along the top of the machine bed 30 around the sprocket 41. The cam rolls 63 by reason of their variation in shape and as the mechanism progresses along the bottom of the machine, swing the arms 58 away from the can body (as shown in Figs. 29 and 30) before the. mechanism 38 reaches the stripping fingers 170. As the mechanism 38 passes the lingers 170 and the edges of the formed can body encounter the fingers, the body is thus stripped from the body forms 52a, whereupon it may fall to a bin or any convenient handling means arranged beneath the machine.

The mechanism, as it further progresses to the left, loses contact with the cam rolls 63 and 66, and during this period the locking dog 183 functions to hold the arms 58 in open or retracted position. The hinged portions of the arms 58 and their supporting pivoting pin 59 drop away from the form a slight amount by reason of their pivotal connection 62 (see Fig. 4) through the iniiuence of gravity, whereupon the feed mechanism again feeds a blank to the mechanism 38 as it reaches its horizontal position (indicated by dot' and dash lines in Fig. 1) after having passed around the sprocket 42.

From the foregoing description of my invention, it will be seen that I arrange a plurality of coordinated mechanisms on the machine frame in such manner that several actions may be simultaneously perform-ed upon sheet blanks to form them into can bodies by reason of the provision of the plurality of sheet bending and forming mechanisms arranged in endless chain fashion, this arrange-- ment being such that the sheets may be au" tomatically fed to these mechanisms at one end of the machine. and the nature of the mechanism is such that either reciprocating seam forming means or a roll seaming and crimping means may be utilized tolform a double locking seam on the can body. The plurality of forming means is such that the scratching or marring of the exposed sheet surfaces is reduced to a minimum.

I claim 1 l. In a can body forming machine, the combination of a series of mechanically attached can body forms, a sheet bending means associated With each body form, a series of seam forming rolls and means for successively bringing the forms and bending means in said seriesinto cooperativel relation to said rolls.

2. In a can body forming machine, the combination of a series of mechanically attached can body forms, a sheet bending means associated With each body form, pairs of sequentially related seam forming rolls and meansL for successively bringing the forms and sheet bending means in said series into cooperative relation to said forming rolls.

3. In a can body forming machine, the combination of a series of mechanically attached can body forms, each having means for enfolding a sheet of material thereabout to bring parallel edges of the sheet into juxtaposition, pairs of sequentially related rolls for forming said juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried by the forms into can body seams and means for successively presenting said forms to said rolls. l

4l. In a can body forming machine, the combination of a series of mechanically attached can body forms, each having means for receiving and bending a sheet of material thereabout to bring parallel edges of the sheet into juxtaposition, a series of pairs of rolls for forming said juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried by the forms into can body seams andmeans for successively presenting said forms to said means.

5. In a double lock can body forming machine, the combination of a series of can body forms, each having means associated therewith for bending a sheet of material thereabout to bring parallel edges of the sheet into juxtaposition, means for forming said juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried by the forms into can body seams and means for removing said formed and seamed bodies from the forms.

6. In a can body forming machine, `the combination of a series of can body forms, means for bending sheets of material thereabout to bring edges of the sheets into juxtaposition, a series of seam forming rolls acting subsequentto said prior means for forming said edges of the sheets carried by the forms into can body seams and means for removing the formed and seamed can bodies from the forms.

7. In a7 can body forming machine, av series of unitary sheet receiving, folding and bending mechanisms adapted ,to juxtapose parallel edges of the sheets and a can body form mined path in endless chain fashion, a series of pairs of rolls disposed along said path for cooperating With said mechanisms to form the juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried thereby into can body seams, means disposed along said path for causing said folding and bending mechanisms to be free of the can bodies thus formed, and means for causing the can bodies to be discharged from the machine. j

' 8. In a can body forming machine, a series of articulated sheet bending mechanisms each including a can body Jform and a pair of sheet bending arms, said mechanisms being adapted to juxtapose parallel edges of' the sheets, means for moving said mechanisins along a predetermined path in endless chain fashion, a series of seaming rolls disposed along said path for cooperating with said body forms to form the juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried thereby into' can body seams, means disposed along said path for causing said bending mechanisms to swing free of the body forms, and means discharging the can bodies thus formed.

9. In a can forming machine, a series of unitary mechanisms adapted to receive sheet blanks and formthem into can bodyshape, means for actuating said mechanisms along a fixed path, means disposed along said path for forming seams on said formed sheets,

means for actuating said mechanisms along said fixed path, means disposed along said path for depressing the seams on said formed sheets and driving means for actuating said mechanisms and said seaming means in synchronism.

10. In a can formin machine, a series of unitary mechanismsa apted to receive sheet blanks and form them into can body shape, means for actuating said mechanisms along a fixed path, means adjacent said path for feeding the blanks to the mechanisms, means disposed along said path for forming seams on said formed sheets, driving means for actuating said mechanisms along said fxed path, and seam depressing rolls disposed along said path for depressing the seams on said formed sheets and driving means for actuating said forms, said feeding means and said seaming means in synchromsm.

11. In. a can forming machine, a series of can body forms and bending arms pivotally connected thereto to receive sheet blanks and bend them about the forms, means for actuating said forms and arms along a fixed path, rolls disposed along said path for forming seams on lsaid formed sheets, camming means for controlling relative movement between Y the forms and varms driving means for actuating said forms along the fixed path,.and means disposed along said path for forcing the seams on said formed sheets inwardly.

12. In acan forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms arranged inend'- less chain relation, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said mechanisms for forming a double lock seam and including a seam flattening roll, and means for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities whereby slippage between the roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented.

13. In a can forming machine, a series of can forms and sheet bending arms pivotally attached thereto to receive sheet blanks and form them about the forms, means for actuating said forms and arms along a fixed path, means disposed along said path for forming seams on said formed sheets, camming means for controlling relative movement between the forms and arms, driving means for actuating said forms along the iixed path, said seam forming means comprising seaming rolls disposed along said path for forming seams on said formed sheets and driving means for actuating said mechanisms and said seaming means in synchronism.

14. In a can forming machine, a series of mechanisms adapted to receive sheet blanks and bend and form them, means for actuating said mechanisms along a fixed path, a series of seaming rolls disposed along said path for forming seams on said formed sheets, driving means for actuating said mechanisms along the fixed path, supporting means adjustably disposed along said path for supporting the seaming rolls, and driving means for actuating said mechanisms and said seaming rolls at the same linear velocity.

15. In a can forming machine, a series of forms and clamps adapted to receive sheet blanks and form them, means for actuating said forms and clamps alon@r a fixed path, means disposed along said patIi for maintaining the clamps on said formed sheets, driving means for actuating said forms along the fixed path, seaming rolls adj ustably disposed along said path for forming seams on said formed sheets, and driving means for actuating said seaming rolls.

16. In a can forming machine, a series of can forming mechanisms comprising forms and sheet bending arms adapted to bend sheet blanks to bring parallel edges thereof while accurately forming the blanks about the forms into juxtaposition, means for feeding blanks thereto, seaming rolls cooperating with said forms `for forming said juxtaposed edges in to can body seams, and means for causing? said mechanisms to discharge the can bodies when formed, and means for actuating and guiding said forms and arms along fixed continuous paths whereby the blanks carried by said forms are' sequentially acted upon by said several foregoing mentioned means.

17. In a can forming machine, a series of unitary can formsv and sheet bending and clamping arms adapted to form sheet blanks to bring parallel edges thereof into juxtaposition, means for feeding blanks thereto, means comprising a series of seam forming rolls cooperating with said forms for forming said juxtaposed edges into can body seams, means for causing said forms and arms to discharge the can bodies when formed, and means for actuating and guiding said mechanisms along fixed continuous paths whereby the blanks carried by said mechanisms are sequentially acted upon by said several foregoing mentioned means.

18. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending arms and can body forms arranged in endless chain relation, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said arms, means for actuating said rolls and arms at synchronized linear velocities whereby slippage between the roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented, said arms being arranged in pairs in association with can body forms and cooperating stationary cam members acting on the bending members.

19. In a can forming machine, a plurality of pairs of sheet bending arms having pivotal mountings, a seam forming means adapted to form a double locked seam, means for effecting relative movement between each of said plurality of pairs of sheet bending arms, and said seam forming means and means for actuating said mechanisms and means in synchronism.

20. In a can forming machine, an elongated machine bed, a series of unitary mechanisms each including a pair of bending arms and a can body form traversing said bed longitudinally thereof in endless chain fashion and adapted t bend sheet blanks to bring parallel edges thereof into juxtaposition, means associated with the bed for feeding blanks to said mechanisms, seaming rolls supported by the bed in position to operate with said mechanisms for forming said uxtaposed edges into can body seams, and means for actuating and guiding said mechanisms along a fixed continuous path over and under the bed.

21. In a can forming machine, a plurality of unitary sheet bending mechanisms arranged in endless chain relation, a series of seam formin rolls disposed along the path of movement o said mechanismsfor forming a double lock seam, and means for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronize linear velocities whereby slippage between thel roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented.

22. In a can forming machine, a pluralit of sheet bending mechanisms arranged in en less chain relation, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of-movement of said mechanisms, and means for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities whereby slippage between the roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank the rolls and to hold the bent sheets during the seaming operation of the rolls.

23. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms including can body forms arranged in endless chain relation, said mechanisms each including a grooved can body form, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said mechanisms including a seam flattening roll adapted to force the formed seams into said form grooves, and means for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities.

24. In a can formingmachine,aplurality of sheet bending mechanisms arranged in endless chain relation and each mechanism including a can form and bending arms pivoted thereto, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said mechanisms including a seam flattening roll adapted to force the seam inwardly relative to the can body wall, and means for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities whereby slippage between the roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented.

25. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms arranged in endless chain relation, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said mechanisms, said rolls being adapted to effect a double seam formation in four seaming stages, means for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities whereby slippage between the roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented, said mechanisms each including a can body form adapted to cooperate with a seam attening roll to form a rounded corner structure on the can body and simultaneously force the formed seam inwardly relative to the can body wall.

26. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms including can body forms arranged in endless chain relation to pass over and under a machine frame, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said mechanisms, means supported by the machine frame for adjustably supporting said rolls relative to said path, driving means supported by the frame for actuating said rolls and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities whereby .slippage between the roll surfaces and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented, and means carried by the frame for feeding sheets to said mechanisms and for causing said mechanisms to bend the sheets into juxtaposition for presentation to the rolls,

27. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms including can body forms arranged in endless chain relation to pass over and under amachine frame, seam forming means disposed along the path of movement o'f said mechanisms for seamingr the bent sheets to form a can body, means supported by the machine frame for adjustably supporting the seam forming means, driving means supported by the frame for actuating said seam forming means and mechanisms at synchronized linear velocities whereby slippage between the seam forming means and the surfaces of the blank edges is substantially prevented, and means carried by the frame for feeding sheet blanks to said mechanisms and for causing said mechanisms to bend the sheet blanks to bring the blank edges into juxtaposition for presentation to the seam forming means.

28. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms each including a can body form and a pair of bending arms pivoted thereto, a seam forming means adapted to form an internally disposed seam on juxtaposed edges of a can body blank, means for effecting relative movement between each of said plurality of sheet bending means and said seam forming means, and means for actuating relation.

29. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms, seam forming means comprising two sets of four pairs of seaming rolls adapted to cooperate With said mechanisms to form double lock seams on can bodies, means for effecting relative movement between each of said plurality of sheet bending means and said seam forming rolls, and means for actuating said mechanisms 'and rolls in synchronism.

30. In a can body forming machine, a series of articulated sheet folding mechanisms adapted to juxtapose parallel edges of the sheets, and including a plurality of can body formsand a sheet bending unit associated with each form, means for moving said mechanisms along a predetermined path, and means disposed along said path for cooperating with said mechanisms to form the j uxtaposed edges of the sheets carried thereby into locked can body seams.

31. In a can body forming machine, a series of articulated sheet folding mechanisms adapted to juxtapose parallel edges of the sheets and including a plurality of can body forms and a sheet bending means associated with each form, means for moving said mechanisms along a ,predetermined path, and seem forming rolls disposed along path, and seam forming rolls disposed along nisms to form the juxt posed edges of the sheets carried thereby.' to can body seams.v

machine, a

32. In a can bom' formin sheet foding mechaseries of articulate said mechanisms and means in timed nisms adapted to juxtapose parallel edges of means for actuating said rolls and mechathe sheets, and including a plurality of can nisms in cooperative relation.

body forms and a sheet bending means associated with each form, means for moving said mechanisms along a predetermined path, means comprising a series of seam forming rolls disposed along said path for cooperating with said mechanisms to form the juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried thereby into can body seams, and actuating means for driving both of said means in cooperative unison.

33. In a can body forming machine, a series of articulated sheet bending mechanisms adapted to receive sheets and juxtapose parallel edges of the sheets, and including a lurality of can body forms and a sheet bending means associated with each form, means for moving said mechanisms along a predetermined path during part of which movement the sheet bending is effected and means comprising rolls disposed along said path for cooperating with said mechanisms to form the 'uxtaposed edges of the sheets carried there y into can body seams during another part of said movement.`

34. In a can body forming machine, a series of articulated sheet folding mechanisms adapted to juxtapose parallel edges of the sheets, and including a plurality of can body forms and a sheet bending means associated With each form, means for moving said mechanisms along a predetermined path in endless chain fashion, seaming means comprising rolls disposed along said path for co'- operatmg with said mechanisms to form the juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried thereby into can body seams.

35. In a can body forming machine, a series of articulated sheet bending mechanism adapted to juxtapose parallel edges of the sheets and including a series of can body forms and a sheet bending means associated with each for'm, means for feeding sheets thereto, means for moving said mechanisms along a predetermined path in endless chain fashion, means comprising pairs of sequentially related seam forming rolls disposed along said path for cooperating with said mechanisms to form the juxtaposed edges of the sheets carried thereby into can body seams, and means disposed along said path for causing said mechanisms to discharge the can bodies thus formed.

36. In a can forming machine, a plurality of sheet bending mechanisms, including a can body form with a sheet bending means associated with each form, arranged in endless chain relation, each mechanism including a can form, a series of seam forming rolls disposed along the path of movement of said mechanisms including a seam flattening roll adapted to force the formed seams inwardly relative to the can body wall, and

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiix my signature.

THOMAS J. DUGAN. 

